Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

[homeycool]

Remember seeing this before the game came out?

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/madden-13-emphasizing-post-launch-support-first-update-in-septe/

The game's "tuner sets" feature, which was included and hardly used in Madden 12, gives the development team the opportunity to issue small gameplay tweaks without the use of a full title update. EA Tiburon's team plans to "closely monitor community feedback and will quickly release tuners based on any major issues reported." The same can't be said for Madden 12, as its lack of consistent updates became a glaring issue in sports gaming communities such as Pastapadre and OperationSports.

"The team is absolutely committed to post-launch support, and we will make it a point to keep you updated on title updates, tuner sets, roster updates, new Madden Moments Live and more," EA said in a statement to Joystiq. Providing the Madden team sticks to its goals, Madden 13 is likely to receive more post-launch support out of the gate than last year's game had entirely.

I have to admit, they got me. I really thought the post launch support was going to be better this year.

1 month later CCM is still almost unplayable because of the horrendous AI and the numerous frustrating bugs (injuries, auto-subs, playbooks, coach schemes, simulation stats, etc.)

So far all they have updated is gameface, fantasy draft, and post play physics. Not too mention we have not had any information whatsoever on if or when the next patch is coming and what it may have, aside from the generic "We're looking into it" comment.

Am I being too cynical or has the post-launch support been just as bad as it has been in the past?

[hyacinth1]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

You're not alone. I am giving this game every chance, but I'm at a point of frustration as well when it comes to CPU AI bugs and CCM. It would help if they said that they will release this patch on this date and with details. But nothing. I'm really tempted to trade it in right now since so many QUALITY titles are about to come out.

[theV]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

no , your not being to hard on them about this. they just like to tell stories to get our hopes up, year , after year, after year. jut take a look at the "CCM website" its only about half done and they refuse to give any info on when they might , if ever this year finish it. i mean every company has a "projected timeline" for all projects. yet they somehow refuse to tell us when that is for the CCM website , which is about useless as it is. their last website was in "BETA" for 3 years. so how long will this be in "BETA"? like you said there are numerous AI issues, numerous issues overall , that MANY people are posting about on the EA website forums, yet not only do they not answer those posts, they also dont seem to be working on any of the things . their communication with the customer is horrible at best. yet i know some guys will say give them a break.sorry after the last 5 years of maddens lackluster efforts, they have had pleanty of time to get things right and to have better customer service. not only that , i hear some people who wanna "get their backs" say , they only had a year to do this in, you shouldnt expect a complete game. well that is just bs at best. they put out a new madden EVERY SINGLE YEAR. and every year, it seems its only half done, bugs havent been worked out, they refuse actually fix things. if your gonna put out a game every year, its your job to get it right in time for its release , not just keep "patching" it for the next 4 months only to say , well we cant work on this one anymore, cause we gotta get the next one going.my point is , if you cant make the game in that amount of time, jut make a new one every couple years, and just do roster updates the off years. i mean would that be so hard? oh wait , then they couldnt make all that money .thats right , cause its all about their greed. not their desire to really put out a great game. im about done with madden myself. they keep crying "wolf, wolf wolf" (we will listen and fix what u ask for) yet its just the same ol same ol year in year out.

[roadman]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

Actually, online has been given quick fixes while offline needs to wait for the patch.

This isn't news to me, it follows past history.

A game day patch is dropped and this year, they dropped a patch a few weeks later.

Bugs are noticed by all the forums after a week or two of the game being out, and then they try to fix as many bugs as they can.

The big patch usually comes out in October.

So, they have fixed a few issues on the online side of things. Other than that, they seem to be repeating history.

Hopefully, this thread is noticed and a timely response will be given.

[kongemeier]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It would be great if EA would make a list of bugs they are fixing and the things they'll just let slide and maybe fix next year.

If they are only looking to add to CCM in it's current state, like they did with the fantasy draft, then this game just won't be for me. Without this list we're all guessing and hoping what will get in the patch.

I feel it's flawed costumer service not to let us know what they are working on. Even if it's not the answer some of us are looking for atleast we'd know what we're dealing with and either move on or try to make the best of what we got.

[roadman]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It would be great if EA would make a list of bugs they are fixing and the things they'll just let slide and maybe fix next year.

If they are only looking to add to CCM in it's current state, like they did with the fantasy draft, then this game just won't be for me. Without this list we're all guessing and hoping what will get in the patch.

I feel it's flawed costumer service not to let us know what they are working on. Even if it's not the answer some of us are looking for atleast we'd know what we're dealing with and either move on or try to make the best of what we got.

Not entirely, though.

They can't announce upfront this is what we are working on, if the fix doesn't work, that's worse customer service.

People would be fuming across all madden nation.

[kongemeier]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

Not entirely, though.

They can't announce upfront this is what we are working on, if the fix doesn't work, that's worse customer service.

People would be fuming across all madden nation.

I will have to disagree! Information and communication should be so much better then what it is - to me that is what costumer service is all about.

Right now we have no clue what EA are working on - it could be a patch or it could be another add on to the current version of CCM.

I would have much greater respect for EA if they came out and said we're trying to fix 1 but 2 won't be in this year. The only response we're getting is "we'll look into it..."

I can understand that not all would be pleased by this approach, but atleast we'd know what to expect.

[js3512]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It's amazing how spoiled this generation of gamers has become. Anyone else remember the days when you'd drop 30 on a game and if it was terrible, oh well...

[roadman]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

I will have to disagree! Information and communication should be so much better then what it is - to me that is what costumer service is all about.

Right now we have no clue what EA are working on - it could be a patch or it could be another add on to the current version of CCM.

I would have much greater respect for EA if they came out and said we're trying to fix 1 but 2 won't be in this year. The only response we're getting is "we'll look into it..."

I can understand that not all would be pleased by this approach, but atleast we'd know what to expect.

I don't disagree from a consumer point of view, but disagree from a business point of view.

[wheelman990]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It's amazing how spoiled this generation of gamers has become. Anyone else remember the days when you'd drop 30 on a game and if it was terrible, oh well...

I always played the full game at a local game store before I bought it. You would have to go all the way back to pre 90's for me not know what game I was buying. And back in those days, we had low expectations as kids/teens, because there was nothing else out. It's amazing that those early games really delivered in fun factor a lot of times. Even now, super mario bro's, tecmo bowl, tetris,bionic commando, etc can be a fun little game for the moment.

Actually, I think it is more buying blind now. No more stores in the area that let you try a game out before you buy it. The local store here used to have like 8 TV's in it, 2 aprox for each system. You could sit there chat about games and play pretty much as long as you wanted. they would even open 1 new copy of each game so they had it in the store(at least all the ones i ever was interested in). They would then sell that copy last if they ran out of new copies for a little cheaper price(like $5 off). They also had a wall and some rows of used games you could try any of them.

Now, if there isn't a demo(with limited features shown) you are SOL. There are many "trade in" type games stores here now, but none of them let you try out games like the old days

[mastershake88]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It's amazing how spoiled this generation of gamers has become. Anyone else remember the days when you'd drop 30 on a game and if it was terrible, oh well...

To whom much is given, Much is required of them. Don't charge 59.99+tax if you want us to be a beta tester. In the 21st century of programming and work it is about quality and quality control. To let a product go out where you have uniforms wrong, missing features and a lackluster product is unacceptable and unprofessional.

[kongemeier]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

It's amazing how spoiled this generation of gamers has become. Anyone else remember the days when you'd drop 30 on a game and if it was terrible, oh well...

I was here back then as well! Technology has improved greatly since then, but devs seem to rely so much on patches now. Let's release it and fix it later.

Games weren't as complicated back then, but they certainly felt more complete when done! In what other multi-billion industry can companies get away with release product as bugged as M13 is?

Anyway, I'll stop now. It's a cold and rainy day where I am and I just wish I could go enjoy mu Madden - but in it's current state I can't!

[homeycool]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

Right now we have no clue what EA are working on - it could be a patch or it could be another add on to the current version of CCM.

I would have much greater respect for EA if they came out and said we're trying to fix 1 but 2 won't be in this year. The only response we're getting is "we'll look into it..."

As a software developer, this is one thing about the industry I do not enjoy. Where I work if a feature is "mostly" working, we release it and patch it as soon as we can. Also, we never tell customers when things are coming down the pipeline. The thought process is that our sales people should be selling the product that we currently have and not something we haven't implemented yet.

These types of decisions are not customer service ones, they are business decisions and I think it's unfortunate. The deciding factor always comes down to the bottom line, not customer satisfaction.

[Mr_truthman.com]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

As a software developer, this is one thing about the industry I do not enjoy. Where I work if a feature is "mostly" working, we release it and patch it as soon as we can. Also, we never tell customers when things are coming down the pipeline. The thought process is that our sales people should be selling the product that we currently have and not something we haven't implemented yet.

These types of decisions are not customer service ones, they are business decisions and I think it's unfortunate. The deciding factor always comes down to the bottom line, not customer satisfaction.

well said sir. If the game sells, what incentive does EA have to fix it asap or even fix it at all. What other NFL game are you going to purchase. Hmmm. I believe the suits see it that way. They also promised post game patches and updates with Madden 12. How many of those went through? If the game sells, they see it as successful. I suppose a CEO would see it that way.

[storm021]

Re: Madden 13 emphasizing post-launch support

I was here back then as well! Technology has improved greatly since then, but devs seem to rely so much on patches now. Let's release it and fix it later.

Games weren't as complicated back then, but they certainly felt more complete when done! In what other multi-billion industry can companies get away with release product as bugged as M13 is?

Anyway, I'll stop now. It's a cold and rainy day where I am and I just wish I could go enjoy mu Madden - but in it's current state I can't!

Well its not just Madden that goes through this process, its most sports games, mmo's, fps's, and other games as well. To me that is the one big down side to today's gaming, the games are more complicated as before which means more code and more screw ups. By all means I am not saying its right but being a pc gamer for a long time I know there as always been games that came out that they depended on patches. When game systems started hitting the online devs decided to follow the same thing for the consoles. Its not just EA, its pretty much everyone.